How New York Will Open Further: Dates and Conditions of the Next Quarantine Removal Phases

On June 22, New York entered the second phase of quarantine lifting. Not far off and the third phase. About what will work with the transition of the city to the next stage, and when the metropolis returns to normal life, the publication said Time-out.

On Monday, June 22, New Yorkers were finally able to feel the softening of quarantine:the city entered the second phase of quarantine lifting. Summer restaurant terraces and retail stores are once again available for visiting. Some even returned to work at the office after a long break.

But what will happen next: when will the city be able to move to the third phase of quarantine lifting, and when will it be possible to return to normal life?

According to the plan of The New York Forward, the intervals between transitions of the region from one phase to another are at least two weeks. Therefore, if everything goes according to plan, then the third phase will begin on July 6th.

Whether the city of New York meets the seven health targets is being monitored by the state. In principle, hospitalization and infection data should not indicate that more people are infected with the virus than hospitals can withstand. If these indicators remain unchanged at the current level, and international experts determine how best to move forward, then New York will continue to implement the plan to resume work.

What will open with the transition to the third phase?

Unlike the second phase, with the advent of which various enterprises began to work, the third phase involves the opening of only two categories, these are: restaurants / food services and personal care.

City public libraries will also open, but will work in a limited mode. True, this is not connected with the transition of the city to the third phase of lifting restrictions.

How will restaurants work?

You can dine inside the restaurant as you did before quarantine, but not as fast as before quarantine. State health and safety guidelines will remain in effect as the third phase begins. For example, the capacity of the room will be no more than 50%, which will allow you to arrange tables so that visitors can keep a distance of two meters from each other. Visitors will also need to wear face masks, despite the distance between them and other people.

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This means that there will be less tables inside the establishments. That is, we can sit at a table inside, but the waiting time may be longer than usual.

Beauty: what will work and how

With the third phase in the city of New York, personal care specialists will be able to return to work, including tattoo and piercing masters, masters in improving the appearance, massage therapy, spa, cosmetology, nail specialization, ultraviolet and non-ultraviolet tanning or waxing.

What will be closed further?

Cinemas, Broadway, amusement parks such as Coney Island Luna Park, and other art-related institutions such as museums, gyms, event venues, and colleges and universities. They can resume work only with the beginning of the fourth phase of quarantine cancellation.

During the third phase, New York City will have strict state requirements. For example, the occupancy rate of offices cannot exceed 50%, their employees must undergo a physical examination every day and wear masks; if it’s impossible to arrange a distance of two meters between employees, then special barriers must be established; you also need to limit personal meetings and refrain from sharing food and drink.

How will public transportation work?

Metro and MTA buses have already returned to full operation from the beginning of the first stage. However, there are new protocols in their work.

So, Metro at night, from 1 to 5 in the morning, it will be closed for cleaning. At this time, disinfection of surfaces will be carried out, especially those that many touch - railings, handrails, seats.

Passengers must wear protective masks. If you forget to bring your mask with you, it will be provided for free, as will small hand sanitizer bottles.

Among the other innovations is the markings on the floor in the form of yellow footprints. They indicate the optimal distance that passengers must keep to each other. You will also be able to see yellow signs in the subway reminding you to wear a protective mask and take other precautions.

Log in buses will be through the back door, travel is free. Select Bus Service passengers will pay the fare before entering the vehicle.

As in the subway, wearing a mask while riding a bus is a must. Buses will be regularly cleaned and disinfected.

When will New York open completely?

If experts consider New York to be safe enough, and there will be a two-week interval between each stage, the city will be able to return to its usual life by July 20.

But do not be surprised if by that time not all areas will begin to work in the same rhythm. Broadway, for example, will not return to work until September, the Metropolitan Museum will open its doors in August, and other cultural institutions, including the Metropolitan Opera and the New York Ballet, have already announced the abolition of the fall seasons.

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Shops, restaurants, bars were hit hard after the quarantine. Many of them will not return to work at all, including Gem Spa, Nishi, Gotham Bar & Grill.